Empire Theatre

J.B. McElfatrick, architect. Producer Charles Frohman had it built "uptown" at the suggestion of Al Hayman--"Everything theatrical is moving uptown," he said. Hayman later owned it after Frohman died on the Lusitania in 1915. In 1948, the Astor estate purchased the theatre and announced, in 1953, that it would be torn down to make way for an office tower. Waves of nostalgia spread through the theatre community, and performers gathered to celebrate the venue in a restrospective farewell performance.